2026 Best Value Communications Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value communications schools in California. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for communications. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Las Positas College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Palomar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $14,568 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,568 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #8 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,018. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $46,598. That is a strong return on a $13,018 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #10 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Communications graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Communications graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Davis placed #11 among the best values for communications. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rio Hondo College landed the #12 spot for communications value this year. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Communications graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #13 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific placed #14 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $28,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #15 position for value in communications this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $36,162. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
John Paul The Great Catholic University came in at #16 for value in communications this year. John Paul The Great Catholic University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Escondido. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,265. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,925 in student loans. Communications graduates of John Paul The Great Catholic University earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
National University landed the #17 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $55,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Marys College Of California placed #18 among the best values for communications. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,356. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of San Diego placed #19 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,000. Communications graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $40,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California placed #20 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
The Masters College And Seminary earned the #21 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $29,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,667 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $48,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
Los Angeles Film School placed #23 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Communications graduates carry a median of $33,310 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $20,708. Set against $33,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chapman University earned the #24 position for value in communications this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $44,601. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #25 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Communications graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,138. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
